Pashinyan to Opposition: Either Give Up Your Mandates and Pursue a Revolution, or Get to Work

YEREVAN — Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan called on opposition lawmakers either to relinquish their parliamentary mandates and pursue a revolution or to remain in parliament and carry out their duties.

“Either give up your mandates and engage in a revolution, or work,” Pashinyan said in the National Assembly, addressing opposition lawmakers.

Responding to opposition claims that the current government lacks legitimacy, Pashinyan recalled that he had previously urged citizens to take to the streets and launch a revolution if they disagreed with the government or believed it was illegitimate.

“These people have a problem with legitimacy. They do not have the status of owners in this chamber; they understand that they are tenants sent here on some sort of mission. Events are developing quickly, the instructions on what to do do not arrive, and they become disoriented, going back and forth,” Pashinyan said.

“But this is not only their problem; it is our problem and a problem for the Republic of Armenia. I think the choice is this: either give up your mandates and engage in a revolution, or, if you have come here, sit down and work. I do not think walking out in offense over every word is a sign of strength,” he added.

Pashinyan was referring to instances in which opposition lawmakers have left the National Assembly chamber following disagreements over various issues.